Light control for photographic printers



June 1945. H. L. FITCH ETAL 2,378,206

LIGHT CONTROL FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTERS Filed March 18, 1944 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l HAROLD L. FITCH STANLEY L. SCUDDER WENTORS ATTORNEYS Juhe 12,1945. H, L ITCH ETAL 2,378,206-

LIGHT CONTROL FOR PHOTOGRAPHIG PRINTERS Filed March 18, 1944- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H4ROLD L. FITCH STANLEY L. SCUDDER INVENT RS BYX ATTORNEYS Patented June 12, 1945 1 PATENT OFFICE LIGHT CONTROL FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC.

PRINTERS Harold L-. Fitch and Stanley L. Scudder, Rochester, N. Y., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 18, 1944, Serial No. 527,084

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to photographic printers 'for motion picture film, and more particularly to an automatic light control for such printers.

As is well known in the motion picture printing art, a motion picture positive is printed from a negative either by the contact or projection method. In either method, the light supplied to the film during the printing operation is varied either in quantity and/or quality to compensate for the various densities of diflerent portions of the negative resulting from the different light conditions present during the taking of the various scenes. As is common practice, the light conditions required for the proper printing of the different portions of the negative are determined prior to the actual printing operation. With this information available, various devices are adjusted so that the printing light'will be automatically varied and/or controlled at the proper time and in the proper amount during the travel of the film through the printer, each change in light condition being controlled by a notch formed on the edge of the film. These .notches are positioned at the points along the negative in proper relation to the portions where a change in the light condition is required, all as well known to those in the art.

In printing black-and-white film, the changing light conditions may be secured by providing a constant or unvarying light aperture and then changing the intensity or the light source. However, when printing color fihn it is imperative that the color temperature of the light source be maintained constant and unvarying so as to thus insure the proper color balance on the film being printed,all of which is well known to those working in color photography. For this reason,

when color filmsare printed, at constant light source of a definite color temperature must'be provided, and the quantity of light reaching the film is then changed by asuitable' light varying means such as a variable opening diaphragm. The changing of the diaphragm opening may be controlled by the notches formed on the film edge, such notches being positioned in proper relation to the place at which the change in the light condition is required. As motion picture printers usually operate atrelatively high speeds, such as 70 feet per minute or more, it is als highly desirable that the variations in the light conditions should be substantially instantaneous so that density changes will take place in the space of one picture frame or less, rather than over a number of frames, thus eliminating the undesirable "fade-in and fade-out eflects. It is also of extreme importance that after the diaphragm has been moved to provide the required llght'opening, the diaphragm rigidly and 5 positively maintain its adjustment so as not to flutter or vibrate, the disadvantages of which will be readily apparent to those in the art.

The present invention has, therefore, as its principal object a new and improved light control mechanism for varying the quantity of a constant color light source supplied to the film during the printing operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of the class described which is operated substantially instantaneously so that changes in film density take place over one picture frame or less,

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a diaphragm construction and con- ,30 trol mechanism which will positively maintain the diaphragm in adjusted position so as to prevent vibration and flutter thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is the rpmvision of a compact light control mechanism which may be readily and easily connected to or disconnected as a unit from the printer.

And another object of the invention is the provision of such a mechanism which is formed of few parts of rugged construction, and which is simple to adjust and positive in its operation.

To these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in ,5 the claims at the end of the specification.

Inthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of a portion of a preset control device, with parts cut away, and the cover removed to show the arrangement of the various mechanisms;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the control device illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the arrangement by which various circuits may be preselected in accordance with the light conditions required for the negative to be printed;

of alight varying control mechanism constructed in accordance with-the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a partial view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4, and showing the moving and required light changes.

holding mechanism for the diaphragm prior to the actuation or engagement thereof for moving the diaphragm to one position of adjustment;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the members in engaged position to retain the diaphragm in its adjusted position; and

Fig. 8 is an end view of the diaphragm actuating shaft showing the relation thereto of the shutter adjusting members thereon.

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

As is common practice, the negative to be printed is first inspected to ascertain not only the different light conditions required for various portions of the negative, but also the precise point at which the light conditions should be varied. These points of light changes are usually indicated by notches placed at predetermined points along the edge of the film, one such notch being shown at ll, Fig. 3, formed on the edge of the film strip [2. These notches are then utilized to actuate certain control mechanisms to adjust the diaphragm opening the proper amount and at the required time. In order, however, that the proper functioning of the diaphragm will take place in accordance with the light conditions required for the different portions of film, a control board or device is manually preset or adjusted so that the various film notches will be effective, not only to control the diaphragm openings at the proper time intervals but also for the proper amount.

To this end, the present invention provides a manually settable control device which is adjusted in accordance with the sequence of the This device comprises a housing 15 in which are positioned a pair of substantially parallel plates l6 and ii, the former having mounted thereon four concentric conductor rings i8 while the latter is provided with a single row of separate contacts l9. l6 and i! may be formed of an insulating material or the various contacts or rings may be suitably electrically insulated from each other, as is apparent. The plate I! is provided with' a plurality of radial slots 20 in which contact fingers 21 are slidably'mounted. Each fingeris provided with an upstanding finger-gripping portion 22 by which the finger may be radially moved inwardly to bring the contact section 23 thereof into engagement with one of the conductor rings i8; as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

The plates. I

The fingers also engage the contacts I3 and thus provide an electrical connection between the individual contacts 19 and one of the rings l8. Four such rings are shown so that four separate positions may be provided, while a fifth adjustment may be made when the finger 2| is moved so that the section 23 is moved out of engagement with any of the rings 18, as will be apparent from an inspection of Fig; 2. The fingers 21 thus provide a means for selectively connecting each contact l9 to one of the conductor rings IS. The latter are, in turn, connected through the leads 24 to four separate solenoids 25, each of which is connected through a wire 28 to the return wire 21 leading to a supply of direct current, such as a battery 28. By means-of this arrangement each contact 19 may beselectively connected to one of the solenoids 25, the purpose of which construction will belater more fully'described.

A rotatable contact arm 30 is arranged to move over the plate l1 so that the free end 3'! will suecessively engage the contacts 13, as shown in Fig. 1. The end 3| is of such a width as to span amount.

two separate contacts 13, as illustrated in dotted line, Fig. 1, and for a purpose to be later more fully described. The arm 30 is connected through the lead 32 to the opposite side of the battery 28 thus electrically connecting the arm III, contacts l9, rings [8, and solenoids 25, as will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 3. A main control switch 33 may be positioned in the lead 32. The control device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is first manually set so as to control the light conditions in proper sequence and in the proper To secure this result, the individual fingers are moved to engage one of the rings i3 connected to one of the solenoids so that the proper solenoid will be actuated at the proper time and in the proper sequence.

As is common practice, the notches II in the film ii are utilized to initiate the operation of the variou control members or devices. For this reason a small Micro"-switch 34 is provided with an operating plunger 35 adapted to ride on the edge 36 of the film strip, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figs.,3 and 5. A lead 31 connects the switch 34 with the battery connection 32 while a wire 38 connects the switch to a solenoid 39 which, in turn is connected by the wire 40 to the battery lead 21, as clearly illustrated in Fig.3. Thus the switch 34 and solenoid 33 are connected into the battery circuit.

As mentioned above, the plunger 35 rides on the edge 36 oi the film strip, but when a notch H registers with the plunger, the latter drops into the notch, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Such movement of the plunger automatically closes the Micro switch 34 to complete the circuit to the solenoid 39 to energize-the latter to cause the armature 4! thereof to move upwardly. The armature 4| has connected thereto, by means of a pin 45, one end of a pawl 46 the other end of which is provided with a slot 41 adapted to receive a headed nut 48 secured to the housing 15 so that the pawl 46 willslide upon movement of the armature 4|. Such movement of the pawl 46 brings a tooth 49 thereof into engagement with teeth 50 of a ratchet 5| carried by a shaft 52 to which the arm 30 is secured, the shaft being suitably electrically insulated from the plates l6 and 11. Thus each time the solenoid 39 is energized, by means of the dropping of the plunger 35 into a notch H, the pawl 44 will be moved upwardly to impart a rotating movement to the ratchet BI and hencethe arm 33 to move the latter from one contact I! to the next. In order that such movement may be maderapidly, the arm 30 is preferably made as light as possible and preferably in the form of a thin fiat strip of metal. The shaft 52 may have secured thereto a hand-operating knob 36 for returning the arm 30 to its original or any desired position.

To insure that the arm 30 will be moved only thedistance of one contact upon each actuation of the solenoid 39, the pawl 46 is provided with .an inclined surface 53 adapted .to engage a simiand to move the arm ll over to the next contact. After the ratchet has been moved the distance of one tooth, the surfaces 53 and '4 then wedge to prevent further upward movement of the pawl. Thus each time the notch comes into registry with the plunger 85, the arm 80 is moved a-distance of one contact and one contact only. Such movement will ordinarily connect the newly engaged contact l9 to one of the rings |8 to thus energize one of the solenoids 25 to change the quantity of light reaching the film, as will be readily apparent. If, however, the finger 2| connected to the, engaged contact I9 is not connected to any ring I 8, no circuit isclosed, as will be apparent.

Referring now to Fig. 4, there is shown a light control mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention. This light control eration are passed by means of a feed roller 88.

Guide rollers 85 are provided for guiding the pair of films over. the roller 84 and across the exposure aperture 88. 'The housing 59 has mounted therein a light source in the form of an electric lamp 68. For reasons stated above, the lamp 86' is operated at a constant intensity to provide a light source of unvarying color, the advantages of which will be apparent to those in color photography. Suitable reflecting members, such as aprism 16, are provided for directing the light rays from the lamp to the exposure aperture 58. The housing 59 is provided with a pair of spaced end walls 51 and 68, the latter of which has rockably mounted thereon, by means of studs 88, a

'pair of diaphragm members 18 of the shape best shown in Fig. 4. The upper ends of the members 18 are provided with plates 1| the. adjacent tapered edges 12 of which may be variably spaced to provide a diaphragm opening 13 which serves to control the quantity of light transmitted from the constant light source 88 to the films moving over theexposure aperture 68, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. The edges 13' are preferably tapered, as shown, to insure clear cut, exposures.

It will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 4 that if the arms 10 are moved about their pivots 89 in a direction to separate the edges 12, the

diaphragm opening 18 will be increased to thus admit a greater quantity of light to the films be-' ing printed. On the other hand, movement of the arms in the opposite direction will cause the edges 12 to approach each'other to thereby de-,

crease the size of the diaphragm opening to reduce the quantity of light transmitted to the film moving over the exposure aperture 68.

The lower ends 14 of the arms 18 are connected by a spring 15 which tends to move the edges 12 away from each other to provide the maximum 'dia-. phragm opening. Four intermediate diaphragm openings are secured by reason of the four soleholds 25, as will be later explained.

The end walls 81 and 88 have journaled therein a shaft 18 one end of which has secured thereto a crank 19 the opposite ends of which are conin adjusting the openin 13. The shaft 18 has also mounted thereon four radially extending pro- 'jecting members 8| each of which terminates in a prong-shaped head 82, as best shown in Figs. 6 to 8. These adjusting members are spaced axially along the shaft 18, as shown in Fig. 5, and are offset angularly relative to each other, as shown in Fig. 8. Due to the fact that all the members 8| are spaced at different angular relation, the shaft 18 must be variably moved rotatively to successively bring each of these members to the vertical position, as shown in Fig. 7. Thus four separate movements must be imparted to the shaft 18, and these movements are utilized in moving the edges 12 'to four different positions to provide four separate diaphragm openings distinct from that formed by the sprin 15. The members 8| thus cooperate with the spring 15 to pro-' vide five different shutter adjustments.

The members 8| are selectively moved to the vertical position to provide the required shutter opening, by means of levers 83, each of which has one end 84 thereof pivotally or rockably mounted on a rod 85 secured to the end walls 81 and '88, as shown in Fig. 5. The opposite end 88 of each lever 88 is connected by a link 81 to the armature 88 of one of the solenoids 25 so that each arm 88 is separately and independently connected to one and only one of the solenoids As eachlever 88 is identical in construction, further description for one will suflice for all. Each lever 83 is formed adjacent its midpoint with an offset portion 89 formed with spaced, sloping or inclined sides 98 connected by a substantially horizontal section 9|.

This oilset portion .88 is arranged to overlie "one of the adjusting members 8| and to receive the prong-shaped head 82, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. Each inclined side 98 is provided with an adjustable contacting member adapted to engage one of the'inclined faces 95 of the prong-like head 82, as shown in Fig. 7. The members 85 are mounted on threaded members v91 which threadably engage in the sides 98.

Nuts 88 serve to retain the members 95 in adjusted position. The engagement of the members 95 with the faces 85 serve to rock the corresponding and cooperating member 8| from anon-vertical position, as shown in Fig. 6 to a vertical position as shown in Fig. '1. Such rocking movement of the member 8| imparts a corresponding rocking movement to the shaft 18 to thus move the arms 18 to adjust the spacing of the edges 12 to provide the required diaphragm opening 13. As the members 8| are angularly offset, different rocking movement will be applied to the shaft 18 when each member 8| is moved by its corresponding lever 83.

As each lever 83 is connected to one of the solenoids 25, the levers will be moved each time its solenoid is energized. However, as mentioned above, the solenoids 25 are connected into the circuit of the rings I8 and contacts I!) and movable arms. 30. Therefore when the arm 30 engages one of the contacts I9, which in turn is connected to one of the rings l8, by reason of a finger 2| .one of the solenoids will be energized to rock the corresponding lever 83 to move the latter into engagement with the adjusting member 8| to rock the shaft 18 to thereby adjust the y preliminarily adjusting he fingers 2|, the

solenoids may be energized in the proper sequence to vary the diaphragm opening in accordance with the light intensity selected for the different parts or the film. If, however, the contact I! engaged a finger 2!, the circuits to the solenoids 25 areall open and the spring then becomes effective to move the diaphragm to its maximum opening. When any one of the solenoids is deenergized by movement of the arm 30, a spring 55 serves to move the lever 83 upwardly and out of contact with the head 82 to release the corresponding member 8i. However, the end SI of the arm 3c is wide enough to span two contacts 19 so that one of the solenoids will be energized before the preceding one is released, thus preventing any tendency for the diaphragm to fly to open position under the action of the spring 15, the disadvantages 01 which are obvious.

As the various diaphragm adjustments are made in the space of one picture frame or less, obviously the diaphragm will be rapidly moved to its new adjusted position. Such rapid movement may tend to cause the diaphragm to vibrate or flutter some time after its adjustment. It is im portant, therefore, that means be provided for effectively and positively preventing such flutter and to rigidly retain or hold the diaphragm in its adjusted position. It will be apparent, however, that when the lever 83 is moved to the engaging position, the lever is firmly held in this position by reason of the fact that the solenoid 25 has been energized. It is also apparent that a solid unyielding and rigid connection is then provided between the lever 83 and the plates H which forms the diaphragm opening. This rigid connection provides a rugged structure which not only moves the diaphragm to adjusted position, but positively prevents any undesirabl vibration or flutter of the diaphragm after being so adjusted. While such an arrangement provides a rugged structure, the various parts are relatively light in weight so that the adjustment of the diaphragm is substantially instantaneous. Thus the diaphragm is quickly moved into adjusted position and is securely held so as to provide asubstantially instantaneous change in light conditions rather than 'a gradual or pulsating change which would occur if the diaphragm were allowed to vibrate.

It will be thus apparent from the above description that the present invention provides a l'ght control mechanism, which will automatically change the quantity of light applied to the film in accordance with the light intensity selected for the various portions of the film. Furthermore, the .light changes are rapid so' that the density changes will take place over only one picture frame or less. As the light source is maintained at a constant temperature, the proper color balance is assured. Finally, the diaphragm vibration is eifectively eliminated. Whil only five diaphragm adjustments have been shown, this is by way of illustration only, as it is obvious that this number may be readily changed to suit the particular conditions required without departing from the present invention.

While one embodiment of the invent-ion has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a'number of ways. This application is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to cover all variations and modificatons thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim 2' 1. In a motion picture videdwith a lamp house formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved,

printing machine prothe combination with a constant intensity light source positioned in said lamphouse for supplying printing light at said aperture, and 8. diaphragm mounted on said lamphouse and having an opening which is variable for controlling the quantity of light supplied to said film at said aperture, of a plurality of adjusting members angularly spaced about an axis and connected to said diaphragm and adapted to be variably moved to adjust the diaphragm opening, separate actuating elements independently connectable to said members to impart movement thereto, and a mechanism controlled by the moving film for selectively operating said actuating elements in a predetermined order to vary the diaphragm opening in accordance with the various light intensities selected for printing diflerent portions of the film.

2. In a motion picture printing machine provided with a lamphouse formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source positioned in said lamphouse'ior supplying printing light at said aperture, and a diaphragm mounted on said lamphouse and having an opening which is variable for controlling the quantity of light supplied to said film at said aperture, of a plurality of adjusting members angularly spaced about an axis and connected to said diaphragm and adapted to be variably moved to adjust the diaphragm opening, means independently connectible to said members for imparting movement thereto to control said opening, means for positively holding said diaphragm in adjusted position, and a mechanism controlled by the moving film for selectively operating said member moving means in a predetermined order to vary the shutter opening in accordance with the various light intensities selected for printing different portions of the film.

3. In a motion picture printing machine provided with a lamphouse formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source positioned in said lamphouse for supplying printing light at said aperture, and a diaphragm mounted on said lamphouse and having an opening which is variable for controlling the quantity of light supplied to said film at said aperture, of a plurality of adjusting members angularly spaced about an axis and connected to said diaphragm and adapted to be variably moved to adjust the diaphragm opening, means independently connectible to said members for imparting movement thereto to control said opening and for positively holding said members to retain the adjustment 0! said diaphragm and a mechanism controlled by themoving film ior selectively operating said means in a predetermined order to vary the diaphragm opening in accordance with the various light intensitiesselected for printing the diflerent portions of the film.

4. In a motion picture printing machine provided with a lamphouse formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source positioned in said lamphouse for supply ing printing light atsaid aperture, and a dia phragm mounted on said lamp'house and having an opening which is variable for controlling the quantity of light supplied to said film atcald aperture, of a plurality oi adjusting members angular-1y spaced about an axis and connected to said shutter and adapted to be variably moved to adjust the diaphragm opening, a plurality o! different distances about said axis to move said arms pivotally mounted on said machine, each of said arms being adapted to selectively engage one of said members to impart movement thereto to move said diaphragm to adjust the opening thereof, and a mechanism controlled by the moving film for selectively actuating said arms in a predetermined order to vary the shutter opening in accordance with various light intensities selected for printing diiferent portions of the film.

5. In a motion picture printing machine pro-' vided with a lamphouse formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source positioned in said-lamphouse for supplying printing light at said aperture, and a diaphragm mounted on said lamphouse and having an opening which is variable for controlling the quantity of light supplied to said film at said aperture, of a plurality of adjusting members angularly spaced about an axis and connected to said diaphragm and adapted to be variably moved vto adjust the diaphragm opening, a plurality of arms pivotally mounted on said machine, each of said arms being adapted to selectively engage one of said members to impart movement thereto to move said diaphragm to adjust the opening thereof means for holdingsaid members after the movement thereof by said arms to positively retain said diaphragm in adjusted position, and a mechanism controlled by the moving film for about an axis of movement and operatively connected to said diaphragm, a, plurality of independent pivotally mountedarms mounted on said machine, each of said arms being movable into engagement with one only of said members diaphragm to other positions of adjustment, and means operated in timed relation to the movement of said film for moving said actuating levers in a predetermined order to adjust the opening of said diaphragm in accordance with the various light intensities selected for printing diil'erent portions of the film.

8. In a motion picture printing machine formed with a printing aperture pastwhich a film to b printed is moved, the combination with a. constant intensity light source carried by said machine andpositioned to direct light rays to said aperture to print said film, and a diaphragm movably mounted adjacent said aperture and formed with an opening the size of which may be varied to control the quantity of light supplied to said aperture, of a plurality of adjusting members connected to said diaphragm and angularly spaced about a common axis of movement, a plurality of separate actuating levers each of which is adapted to be moved to engage only one of said members to move the latter a predetermined distance about said axis to move said diaphragm to one position of adjustment, the engagement of the other levers with their corresponding members serving to'move said corresponding members dilferent distances about said axis to move said diaphragm to other positions of adjustment, means for positively retaining said diaphragmin its-various adjusted posi tibns, and means operated in timed relation to the movement of said film for moving said actuating levers in a predetermined order-to adjust the opening of said diaphragm in accordance with the various light intensities selected for printing diiferent portions of the film.

9. In a motion picture printing machine formed with a printing aperture pastwhich a to impart a movement to said one member about said axis to move said diaphragm to adjustsaid ing in accordance with the various light intensie ties selected for printing different portions of the 7. In a motion picture printing machine film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source carried by said machine and positioned to direct light rays to said aperture to print said film, and a diaphragm movably mounted adjacent said aperture and formed with an opening the size of which may be varied to control the quantity of light supplied to said aperture, of a plurality of adjusting members connected to said diaphragm and angularly spaced about a common axis of movement, means for selectively moving said members about-said axis in a predetermined order to adjust the opening 01' said diaphragm and for then positively holding said diaphragm in adjusted position, and

' means operated in timed relation to the moveformed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source carried by said machine and positioned to direct light rays to said aperture to print said film, and a diaphragm movably mounted adjacent said aperture and formed with an opening the size of which may is adapted to be moved to engage only one of said members to move the latter a predetermined dis,-

tance about said axis to move said diaphragm to one position of adjustment, the engagement of the other levers with their corresponding'members serving to move said corresponding members ment of said film for controlling said means in a definite time sequence so that said diaphragm opening will be adjusted in accordance with the various light intensities selected for printing dif- I ferent portions of the film,

10. In a motion picture printing machine formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combinations with a constant intensity light source carried by said machine and positioned to direct light rays spaced about acommon axis of movement, a plurality of separate actuating levers each of which is adapted to be moved to engage only one of. said members to move the latter a predetermined distance about said axis to move said diaphragm to one position of adjustment, the engagement of the other levers with their corresponding members serving to move said corresponding members different distances about said axis to move said diaphragm to other positions of adjustment, an adjustable element carried by each lever for initially securing the proper diaphragm openings, and means operated in timed relation to the movement of said film for moving said actuating levers in a predetermined order to adjust the opening of said diaphragm in accordance with the various light intensities selected, for printing different portions of the film.

11. In a motion picture printing machine formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source carried by said machine, of a diaphragm mounted in optical alignment with said aperture and adjustable to provide a variable light opening to control the quantity of light supplied to the film, a shaft supported in said machine, means for connecting said shaft to said diaphragm so that rotative movement of said shaft willmove said diaphragm to adjust said opening, a plurality of diaphragm adjusting members carried by said shaft and spaced both axially and angularly thereof, a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on said machine, each of said levers being positioned to overlie one of said members, a part on each of said levers being adapted to engage one of said members when the lever is moved in one direction to pool; said shaft to move said diaphragm to one position of adjustment, and means operated in timed relation to the movement of said film for selectively moving the levers one at a 7 time and in a predetermined order to turn said shaft varying amounts to variably move said diaphragm to provide light openings of different sizes.

12. In a motion picture printing machine formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source carried by said machine," of a diaphrgam mounted in optical alignment with said aperture and adjustable to provide a variable light opening to control the quantity of light supplied to the film, a shaft supported in said machine, means for connecting said shaft to said diaphragm so that rotative movement of said shaft will move said diaphragm to adjust said opening, a plurality of diaphragm adjusting members carried by said shaft and spaced both axially and angularly thereof, a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on said members, a part on each of said levers adapted to engage one of said members when the lever is moved in one direction to first rock said shaft to move said diaphragm to one position of adjustment and then to hold positively the diaphragm in its adjusted position, and means operated in timed relation to the movement of said film for selectively moving the levers one at a time and in a predetermined order to turn said shaft varying amounts to variably move said diapllgeragm to provide light openings of diflere'nt s s.

' 13. In a motion picture printing machine formed with a printing aperture past'which a film to be printed is moved. the combination with a constant intensity light source carried by said machine, of a diaphragm mounted in optical alignment with saidaperture and adjustable to provide a variable. light opening to control the quantity of light supplied to the film, a shaft supported in said machine, means for connecting said shaft to said diaphragm so that rota: tive movement of said shaft will move said shutter to adjust said opening, a plurality of diaphragm adjusting members carried by said shaft and spaced both axially and angularly thereof, a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on said machine, each of said levers positioned to overlie one of said members, a part on each of said levers being adapted to engage one of said members when the lever is moved in one direction to rock said shaft to move said diaphragm to one position of adjustment, and a separate solenoid connected to each lever and adapted to be energized in timed relation to the movement of the film for selectively moving said levers one at a time and in a predetermined order to adjust said diaphragm openings in accordance with the various light intensities selected for printing different portions of the film.

14. In a motion picture printing machine formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source carried by said machine, of a diaphragm mounted in optical alignment with said aperture and adjustable to provide a variable light opening to control the quantity of light supplied to the film, a shaft supported in said machine, means for connecting said shaft to said diaphragm so that rotative movement of said shaft will move said diaphragm to adjust said opening, a plurality of diaphragm adjusting members carried by said shaft and spaced both axially and angularly thereof, a plurality of levers pivotally mounted on said machine, each of said levers positioned to overlie one of said members, a part on each of said levers being adapted to engage one of said members when the lever is moved in one direction to rock said shaft to move said diaphragm to one position of adjustment, adjustable contacting members carried by each lever and movable to provide the required diaphragm opening and means operated in timed relation to the movement of said film for moving said levers one at a time and in a predetermined order to vary said aperture in accordance with the various light intensities selected for printing different portions of the film.

15. In a motion picture printing machine formed with a printing aperture past which a film to be printed is moved, the combination with a constant intensity light source carried by said machine and positioned to direct light rays to said aperture to print said film, of a pair of substantially parallel arms pivotally mounted on said machine, light varying means carried by said arms and positioned intermediate said light source and said aperture, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of plates having substantially parallel adjacent edges which are adapted to be variably spaced to form a light opening of different sizes through which the light rays from the light sources may pass to said film to print the latter, means engaging said arms and tending to move the latter in one direction to provide a light opening of maximum size, and means for variably moving said arms in the opposite direction to move said edges different distances apart to vary the spacing thereof to provide light openings of different sizes, said last mentioned means comprising a shaft carried by said machine, means for operatively connecting said shaft to said arms so that rotative movement of said shaft will move said arms in said opposite direction, a plurality of radially extending a variable opening for controlling the quantity of light supplied to the film during printing, means including a plurality of actuating members carried by said housing and connectable to said diaphragm for moving the latter to vary the size of said opening, a plurality of rockable arms a light opening of predetermined size, and means operated in timed relation to the movement of said film for moving said levers one at a time and in a predetermined order to vary said light opening in accordance with the various light intensities selected for printing difierent portions of the film.

16. A unitary control device adapted for use on a motion picture printing machine through which a film to be printed is passed comprising, in combination, a housing removably positioned in said machine, a constant intensity lamp arranged within said housing for supplying a light of unvarying color to print the film, a diaphragm carried by said housing, a plurality of independent adjusting members supported by said housing for adiustingsaid diaphragm to control the quantity of light supplied to said film during printing, and separate actuating members carried by 'said housing and independently connectable to said members to impart movement thereto and operatively connected to the moving which a film to be printed is passed comprising,

in combination, a housing removably positioned on said machine, a constant intensity lamp arranged within said housing for supplying a light supported by said housing and separately con nectable to said members to move the latter, and

control means for said arms operatively con-' sities selected for the diiferent portions of the 18. A unitary control device for use on a mo tion picture printing machine through which a film to be printed is moved comprising, in combination, a housing removably mounted on said machine, a constant intensity light source carried by said housing for supplying a light of unvarying color to print the film, a variable opening diaphragm carried by said housing, a rock shaft joumalled in said housing and operatively connected to said diaphragm, a plurality of members carried by saidshaft and spaced angularly thereon, a plurality of pivoted arms carried by said housing, said arms being adapted to be individually moved into engagement with one of said members only to rock said shaft to-move said of unvarying color to print the film, a diaphragm carried by said housing and adapted to provide diaphragm to adjust the opening thereof, and means supported by said housing and adapted to be operatively connected to and controlled by the movement of said film and in timed relation therewith for actuating said arms one at a time and in a predetermined order to thereby rock said shaft an amount to vary the diaphragm opening in accordance with the preselected light intensities required for printing diiferent portions of the film HAROLD L. FITCH. STANLEY L. SCUDDER. 

